First State Bank’s 2025 Annual Report

Annual Report 2025

The Power of Clarity

From the CEO

Luanne Cundiff, President & CEO, First State Bank

In times of change, clarity becomes one of an organization’s greatest strengths. 

The past year has presented a complex economic environment. Interest rate fluctuations, evolving customer expectations, and continued industry transformation required thoughtful decision-making and disciplined focus. Throughout it all, we remained guided by a simple principle: clarity in our direction, our communication, and our commitments.

Clarity allows us to respond to uncertainty without overreacting. It keeps us grounded in long-term strategy rather than short-term noise. It ensures that growth is intentional, responsible, and aligned with the needs of the communities we serve. 

This year, we continued to strengthen our financial foundation while deepening the relationships that define us. We focused on core deposit growth, prudent lending practices, and operational discipline. We measured success not only by financial performance, but by the strength of our customer relationships, the engagement of our employees, and the impact of our local reinvestment. 

As a community bank, our role extends beyond transactions.

We are a steady partner to families purchasing homes, to businesses expanding operations, and to nonprofit organizations serving critical needs. When customers choose to bank locally, their deposits help fuel lending that supports economic growth in the very communities we share. 

Clarity also guided how we communicate and serve. The launch of our new website reflects this commitment. It was not a reinvention of who we are, but an evolution–designed to make information easier to access, options easier to understand, and experiences more consistent bank-wide. Whether in our branches, online, or in the community, our goal remains the same: to provide straightforward guidance while investing in our customer relationships. 

Internally, we continued to strengthen our shared sense of purpose. Our mission, vision, and values shape how we make decisions, how we collaborate across teams, and how we serve our customers. The alignment across our organization gives us confidence as we look ahead.

As we enter the coming year, our priorities remain clear. We will continue to grow responsibly, invest in our people and technology, and maintain the financial strength that allows us to serve as a reliable partner in any environment. We are confident not because the landscape is simple, but because our direction is. 

Thank you for your continued trust. It is a privilege to serve you, and we remain committed to earning that trust every day. 

Luanne Cundiff's Signature

President & CEO, First State Bank

Clarity in Experience

A More Connected Experience

Clarity is not simply a message—it’s an experience.

Over the past year, we took important steps to ensure that how we communicate reflects how we operate. The launch of our new website marked a meaningful milestone in that effort. It was not designed to change who we are, but to better express it. 

Clarity isn’t just what we say—it’s how we design every interaction.

As customer expectations continue to evolve, access to information matters more than ever. Individuals and businesses expect to move seamlessly between digital and in-person banking. Our goal was to create an experience that meets those expectations while remaining grounded in the personal relationships that define community banking. 

The updated website simplifies navigation, improves mobile accessibility, and presents information in a more straightforward and consistent way. Customers can more easily find the products and services that meet their needs, access educational resources, and connect with our team. 

First State Bank's all-new website.

First State Bank’s mortgage lending team was a dream to work with, starting with the loan application process…Fact finding was made easy via their online application, to assistance with acquiring the needed financial data, quick responses with all follow-up emails…and professionals needed to complete the process.

Daniel Y.

Powered by People

The strength of our bank begins with our people. 

Every day, our employees make decisions that reflect our mission and values. Whether assisting a first-time homebuyer, advising a business owner, or supporting a long-time customer through a life transition, our team approaches each interaction with care, accountability, and professionalism.

This year, we continued to reinforce the connection between our strategy and our culture. Our mission, vision, and values serve as a shared foundation for decision-making across the organization. They guide how we collaborate, how we measure success, and how we serve.

In May, we gathered as an organization to formally introduce and celebrate the cohesive brand platform that now shapes how we communicate internally and externally. That event was more than a launch—it was a moment of alignment. It reinforced that clarity of purpose strengthens culture, and that a unified voice enhances the customer experience.

Luanne Cundiff, President and CEO, speaking at the First State Bank Common Grounds employee event.
Luanne Cundiff, President and CEO, speaking at the First State Bank Common Grounds employee event.

Leadership continuity and cross-functional collaboration remain central to our progress. Teams across lines of business work closely together to ensure that customers receive consistent guidance and thoughtful solutions. Shared ownership and open communication create an environment where ideas are strengthened, risks are managed responsibly, and service remains personal.

Investing in our people is a long-term differentiator. Training, technology enhancements, and leadership development initiatives support both individual growth and organizational strength. When employees are empowered and aligned, customers experience the benefit.

Our first homebuying experience was fantastic, and a good reason for that was working with Scott and Traciit’s important for lenders to care about you not just as customers, but as people, and they made sure we were taken care of and treated as family.

Daniel J.

Clarity in Impact

Invested in Local Prosperity

Community banking is built on a simple but powerful model: local deposits support local lending.

When customers choose to bank with us, their dollars remain close to home. Those deposits help finance mortgages for growing families, lines of credit for expanding businesses, and loans that support community development initiatives. The strength of this cycle is foundational to our philosophy.

Beyond lending, our commitment to community extends through active engagement and support. We partner with nonprofit organizations, participate in local initiatives, and contribute time and resources to efforts that strengthen the places we live and work. These efforts are not separate from our strategy—they are a reflection of it.

We measure success not only through performance, but through impact. The businesses that expand operations. The families who achieve homeownership. The nonprofit organizations able to serve more individuals because of financial support.

As economic conditions shift, our role as a steady partner becomes even more important. We are committed to supporting customers through every life stage—from early growth to expansion, from planning to legacy.

Clarity in purpose reminds us why we do this work.
Clarity in strategy ensures we can continue to do it well.

First State Bank employees celebrate the people, partnerships, and projects shaping St. Charles County at the Economic Development Council Awards Luncheon.
First State Bank employees celebrate the people, partnerships, and projects shaping St. Charles County at the Economic Development Council Awards Luncheon.
Members of the Chesterfield, Missouri banking center, along with Luanne Cundiff, President of First State Bank of St. Charles, and the Branch Advisory Board, met with Missouri State Treasurer Vivek Malek in 2025 to discuss key initiatives administered by his office—specifically the MOBUCK$ Linked Deposit Program.
Members of the Chesterfield, Missouri banking center, along with Luanne Cundiff, President of First State Bank of St. Charles, and the Branch Advisory Board, met with Missouri State Treasurer Vivek Malek in 2025 to discuss key initiatives administered by his office—specifically the MOBUCK$ Linked Deposit Program.

Local deposits support local lending—where the real impact begins.

Luanne Cundiff, President & CEO, First State Bank

First State Bank continues to invest meaningfully in the strength and stability of the communities we serve through targeted lending and housing support.

In 2025, the Bank provided $10 million in commercial loans to advance community development initiatives, helping local businesses grow, create jobs, and enhance economic vitality. In addition, $53 million was dedicated to supporting affordable housing, reinforcing the Bank’s commitment to expanding access to safe, attainable housing options for individuals and families.

Together, these investments reflect First State Bank’s ongoing mission to build stronger communities and improve quality of life across the region.

Community Impact at a Glance

Financials

Financial strength remains the foundation of our ability to serve customers and communities with confidence.

Our disciplined approach to growth, liquidity management, and operational efficiency ensures stability across economic cycles. The following financial statements reflect our continued focus on responsible expansion, prudent risk management, and long-term value creation.


Clear strategy. Measured growth. Sustainable results.

First State Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Balance Sheet

December 31, 2025 (Audited)

ASSETS  
Cash and Due From Banks $34,185,459
Investments in Available-For-Sale Securities, at Fair Value 32,444,005
Restricted Stock, at Cost 21,142,550
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale 41,429,977
Loans, Net of Allowance for Credit Losses of $6,630,894 in 2025 and $6,622,502
in 2024
399,361,573
Accrued Interest Receivable 1,839,414
Premises and Equipment, Net 6,121,802
Life Insurance Contracts, at Cash Surrender Value 9,525,382
Deferred Tax Assets, Net 431,963
Intangible Assets, Net 6,490,182
Other Assets 9,380,288
Total Assets $562,352,595

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  
Noninterest-Bearing Deposits $118,301,763
Interest-Bearing Deposits 304,804,472
Total Deposits 423,106,235
Federal Funds Purchased
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances and Repurchase Agreements 45,000,000
Accrued Interest Payable 1,042,559
Lease Liability 2,006,140
Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities 4,951,359
Total Liabilities 476,106,293
Common Stock 10,155,000
Retained Earnings 98,214,264
Treasury Stock, at Cost (20,341,789)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (1,781,173)
Total Stockholders’ Equity 86,246,302
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $562,352,595


Our capital structure reflects a disciplined, growth-focused approach built on relationship banking. With 71% invested in loans, we are actively reinvesting in the communities we servesupporting local businesses, helping families purchase homes, and fueling economic growth.

An additional 10% is held in securities, providing stability and liquidity, while 13% in other assets supports the bank’s operational strength. Although cash represents just 6% of total assets, this reflects an intentional strategy: putting capital to work for our customers and communities rather than leaving it idle.

Together, this balanced approach demonstrates the strength of our community banking modelprioritizing lending, maintaining prudent diversification, and ensuring we remain well-positioned to serve customers while managing risk responsibly.

Capital at Work in Our Community

Consolidated Statement of Income

December 31, 2025 (Audited)

INTEREST INCOME  
Total Interest Income $29,534,392
Interest Expense  
Total Interest Expense 10,034,521
Net Interest Income 19,499,871
Provision for Possible Loan Losses
Net Interest Income After Provision for Possible Loan Losses 19,499,871
NONINTEREST INCOME  
Mortgage Banking Revenues 20,565,856
Brokerage Fees and Commissions 2,679,261
Other Noninterest Income 679,555
Total Noninterest Income 23,924,672

 

NONINTEREST EXPENSE  
Salaries and Employee Benefits 26,166,715
Occupancy and Equipment Expense 1,549,669
Data Processing Expense 2,956,579
Other Noninterest Operating Expenses 3,440,207
Total Noninterest Expense 34,113,170
Income Before Income Taxes 9,311,373
Provision for Income Taxes 2,138,936
NET INCOME $7,172,437

Our Board of Directors

Chairman

David P. Strautz
Retired CEO
First State Bank of St. Charles

Vice Chairman

Jim Droste
Retired President
Al Droste & Sons Construction

Secretary

Ray Bayer
Retired President & CEO
MOHELA

Luanne Cundiff
President & CEO
First State Bank of St. Charles

Chris Goellner
President
Goellner Printing

Jennifer Bouquet
President
J&J Boring, Inc.

Jill Kluesner
Vice President &
Chief Financial Officer
Lighthouse for the Blind

Michael Eagan
Retired Senior Vice President
Advanced Technologies Group

John W. McClure
Retired Bank Executive
Mercantile Bancorporation